Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-09-09
TEXAS.
The Defeat Of Prohibition, and
the Causes that Produced It.
dallas tTexas, Cor. of the Voice. ]

dallas (Texas) Cor. of the voice.l
The election passed off quietly
throughout the State. The saloons
were generally closed. Every citizen
felt deeply interested in the outcome;
there never before was an election day
in Texas on which the voters came to
the polls with so much thought-or so
much OF attempt at thought.
The people gathered around the poll
ing places witnessed the proof OF what
had been charged during the campaign,
that the whisky men had great sums OF
money. Their workers ran fine turn
outs and elegant carriages, decorated
with flags and placards. At every turn
it was evident that their machinery was
we'll fabricated with money. From the
opening to the end of the fight the
"Antis" have never lacked means to
conduct the canvass in the most eff
fective manner. They had all the poll
ing places thoroughly manned with
workers wholly devoted to the cause of
rum. They had the inspiration that
the promise of certain victory gives,
and their men everywhere were con-
fident and bold, although generally not
disposed to intimidation OF violence.
The Prohibitionists. though vigilant
and active, were in oil respects more or
less crippled from want of means. In
many parts of the State the women
came to the polls and labored to in
duce voters to put in Prohibition bal
lots-always with good effect. In all
cases reported, the temperance women
were respectfully treated. Many all
day prayer-meetings were held by the
women.
From the moment the telegraph wires
flashed Jefferson Davis anti-Prohibi-
ton letter over the State, Prohibition
in Texas was doomed. The "Antis"
had already the negro and foreign vot-
ers, and the question was whether to
these elements they could add suifi-
Gent number of the native-born Dem
ocrats. Jefferson Davis letter broke
the Democratic Prohibition columns.
Itwas circulated everywhere and driven
home to the wavering. Its influence
cannot be estimated in numbers, but
was certainly potent enough to con.
troll the result in many counties.
Senator Reagan's answer to Davis did
much to counterfeit the feeling, but
nothing could summarily dispose of the
Davis letter. Besides, Reagan's answer
had only few days to act, and certain.
~ did not reach all who read the Davis
appeal.
No one not acquainted with the
Southern people can appreciate the
force of Mr.. Davis interference. One
of the main arguments of the liquor
men during the campaign was that pro-
hibition was of Northern growth; an
odious Ksnsasism; Yankee institu.
ton; new departure for the South
an innovation upon fundamental prin'
ciples, and the like. This view of the
nature of prohibition was confirmed by
Mr.. Davis. Well-informed prohibition
Democrats were not moved by the let,
ter, but the doubtful ones were. Some
anti-prohibition negroes were brough
over to the amendment by this letter
but not many.
A striking fact, which shows what
might have been done had the Prohi
bitionists of Texas been more generally
taken at their word and supplied more
plenteously with campaign funds, il
that the large Prohibition votes came
exclusively from the places which have
Prohibition newspapers, and which
were effectively reached by Prohibition
orators. The unenlightened, unculti
waited rural districts voted largely
against the amendment.
No precautions can stop the progress
of Prohibition. There may be grea,
schism in the Democratic party, but
the cause will advance with rapid
strides. In any case the Prohibition
party in Texas will very probably be-
come more and more the rallying cen
ter for those who sincerely desire
prohibition.
| PROHIBITION DEMOCRATS MUST COME T(
THE PROHIBITION PARTY.
The first and main cause of the de
feat of prohibition in Texas was the
belief that the success of prohibition
would disrupt the Democratic party
The second cause was the success Of
the "anti" leaders in making the ignor
ant colored people believe that prohi.
bition was the first step toward putting
them back into slavery Third, the
so-called personal liberty men did no,
want to be cut off from supplies for the
qualification Of their depraved appe
titles. Fourth, the corrupting influence
of the entire liquor power of the
United States made fair test of pub
| lie opinion impossible. A fifth reason
was the Intellectual and incomplete can.
vass, necessarily the consequence Of
the peculiar views entertained by the
Prohibition State Central Committee.
The canvass has resulted in great
good in many ways. People have been
much better educated on the prohibi-
! ton issue. The Democratic leaders
who favored the amendments will have
to take back seats or come to the Pro
hibition party.
| Prohibition will l;nally succeed, but
it will only be through the efte tive
-; organization of the Prohibition party,
! We are not discouraged, and renew the
fight with an abiding faith in ultimate
success. E. L. DoHoNEY,
Prohibition candidate for Governor in
| 1856.
| SENATOR REAGAN's vIEws-TEIAs WILL
YET VOTE FOR PROHIBITION.
! Prohibition was defeated by the